A film celebrating the barrier-breaking exploits of Bermuda sporting icon Clyde Best will be shown at the iconic Lincoln Centre for the Performing Arts in New York City this summer.

The feature-length documentary Transforming the Beautiful Game — The Clyde Best Story, depicting how Best helped change the face of football in Britain during a stint with West Ham while enduring racist taunts from the stands as he paved the way for Black players, will make its debut in the Big Apple on July 10.

The film received glowing reviews during its world premiere at Sadler's Wells East in Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in London in March and its Bermuda screenings at the Earl Cameron Theatre and Ruth Seaton James Centre for the Performing Arts last month.

As well as New York, the production is being shown in Portland, where Best played for the Portland Timbers during his stint in the former North American Soccer League

Dan Egan, the film’s producer, said the response from viewers has been overwhelming.

“The audience response has exceeded expectations at nearly every stop of the world tour,” he told The Royal Gazette.

“In Bermuda alone, we welcomed more than 5,000 attendees across 12 screenings — comparable to, or even exceeding, attendance figures associated with major events like SailGP on the island.

“Combined with more than 2,000 attendees during our London run and strong turnout in Tampa/St Pete, the film has now been seen by nearly 8,000 people theatrically.”

Egan said the emotional response and community engagement surrounding the film has been “most rewarding”.

“Audiences have embraced not only Clyde Best’s story, but also the broader conversation around race, resilience, football culture and the global impact of the game,” he said.

“Momentum continues to build. Portland is tracking towards a sell-out and we’re excited to announce our next major stop; a special one-night-only screening in Lincoln Centre on July 10 in New York City.

“Transforming the Beautiful Game — The Clyde Best Story has become far more than a film screening series — it’s evolving into a cultural and community event in every city we visit.”